Thursday, November 8, 2012
On Wednesday night, the Wilmington non-profit packed its 16,000th box to send to troops overseas.
Veterans Day is still a few days away. But on Wednesday, one group of Wilmington residents found a way to thank troops for their service, just as they do every week at the same time. Local Heroes, which celebrated its eighth anniversary on November 3, packed its 16,000th package on Wednesday night during their weekly trip to Knights of Columbus to pack boxes for troops serving overseas. For Local Heroes founder Lou Cimaglia, there is just one word to describe the milestone. “Humbling,” said Cimaglia. “It’s been an amazing show of support. It’s been an amazing show of support. For the residents of Wilmington and us to do what we do every week for eight years, and to hit 16,000 all in one week, it’s a great experience.” One of the most …
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
More than 120 motorcycle enthusiasts participated in the non-profit's motorcycle run on Saturday.
Saturday was just another day at the office for Local Heroes volunteers. As has been the case many times in recent months, volunteers and supporters flocked to support the non-profit organization over the weekend. The group held its seventh annyal Support the Troops Run, which featured more than 120 motorcycle enthusiasts. It's been a busy few months for the group, which was founded by Lou Cimaglia. The group packed its 15,000th box, won $25,000 from the New England Patriots, hosted an antique car show, held its annual golf tournament and received its grand prize during a ceremony that included a visit from former Patriots tight end Jermaine Wiggins. On Saturday, participants rode their motorcycles on a 55-mile drive that started and …
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Former New England Patriots tight end Jermaine Wiggins helped load boxes for troops overseas and presented the non-profit with its check for $25,000.
Volunteers at Knights of Columbus pack boxes to send to troops overseas every week. This week Local Heroes participants got to work on a different day, and they had a few extra visitors as well. Former New England Patriots tight end Jermaine Wiggins joined a pair of the team's cheerleaders to fill 50 care packages and Local Heroes founder Lou Cimaglia received his oversized check for $25,000 that he earned as the winner of the Myra Kraft Community MVP Award.
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Knights of Columbus
126 Middlesex Ave, Wilmington, MA
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Monday, August 6, 2012
Former Patriots tight end Jermaine Wiggins was in attendance and helped pack packages following the Local Heroes golf tournament Monday. Check back on Tuesday for complete coverage.
Former New England Patriots tight end Jermaine Wiggins was on hand at Knights of Columbus on Monday following the conclusion of the Local Heroes golf tournament, helping load care packages for troops overseas. During the event, Wiggins presented Local Heroes founder Lou Cimaglia with a check for $25,000 as his reward for winning the Myra Kraft Community MVP award in June. Check back with Wilmington Patch on Tuesday for complete photo and video coverage of the event.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
The first annual event on Sunday was planned by two brothers who served in Afghanistan as members of the Marines.
If this is what Pat and Bill McGarry can do with just three weeks notice, one can only imagine what year two of the Local Heroes hot rod rally will look like with a full year to prepare. The Wilmington brothers, both Marines who served in Afghanistan, raised several thousand dollars on Sunday with the first annual event as 50 cars and about 100 people came to Knights of Columbus to support what the pair hopes will become an annual tradition. “We had a great turnout, and it wasn’t just people from Wilmington. People came from all over the place. There was a lot of support for us,” said Pat. “We’ll be doing it again next year, and hopefully it’ll be even bigger. Every year it’ll get bigger, I know it.” Pat and Bill each work at AAA Tire in …
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Knights of Columbus
126 Middlesex Ave, Wilmington, MA
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Saturday, July 21, 2012
Sunday is the first year of what Bill and Pat McGarry hope will become an annual fundraising event for Local Heroes.
Bill and Pat McGarry are passionate about cars, and also about serving the country as members of the Marines. This weekend they’ll have a chance to combine both of those passions during what they hope will be the beginning of a new Wilmington tradition. On Sunday at 2 p.m. behind Knights of Columbus, Local Heroes hosts its first annual hot rod rally thanks to the planning efforts of Bill and Pat, who returned several years ago from active duty in Afghanistan. “They just know what it’s like to get a package from Local Heroes, and wanted to help the mission and help the kids coming home,” said Veterans’ Agent and Local Heroes founder Lou Cimaglia. “Bill and Pat come down just about every Wednesday (to Local Heroes) and talk to the younger …
42.55542
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Knights of Columbus
126 Middlesex Ave, Wilmington, MA
/articles/young-marines-help-local-heroes-plan-hot-rod-rally
1714834
/locations/7459876
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski and Robert Kraft were among New England Patriots who awarded Wilmington non-profit a check for $25,000 during Wednesday luncheon.
Lou Cimaglia would have been happy leaving Gillette Stadium as a third place winner during the Myra Kraft Community MVP awards luncheon. But meeting Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski, being awarded the grand prize, and taking home $25,000 for Local Heroes wasn't a bad way to end the day either. The Wilmington Veteran's Agent was awarded for his work as founder of Local Heroes on Wednesday as he topped 300 applicants and 15 other finalists in the annual award given out by the New England Patriots. Joshua Kraft, son of Patriots owner Robert Kraft, read off the names of the other finalists one at at time. At first, 10 third place winners were recognized and given $2,500. Cimaglia's name wasn't called. Then one at a time, the second place winners …
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Check back on Thursday for complete coverage.
Lou Cimaglia made his trip to Gillette Stadium a memorable one on Wednesday. One of 16 winners of a Myra Kraft Community MVP award, Cimaglia and Local Heroes were selected as the grand prize organization. As a result, Local Heroes earned $25,000 from the New England Patriots. Check back first thing on Thursday for video and photo coverage of the event, which included an appearance by quarterback Tom Brady and tight end Rob Gronkowski.
Wilmington non-profit organization will win between $2,500 and $25,000 during awards ceremony hosted by New England Patriots.
Regardless of the outcome of this afternoon’s awards ceremony at Gillette Stadium, today is a big day for Local Heroes. Veteran’s Agent Lou Cimaglia will join members of his family on Wednesday afternoon at the home of the New England Patriots during the Myra Kraft Community MVP awards luncheon. Cimaglia will represent Local Heroes after he was selected as one of 16 winners of the Community MVP award, given out in honor of the late wife of Patriots owner Robert Kraft. Ten winners will receive $2,500, another five will receive $10,000 and one grand prize winner will win $25,000. “The success we have had is due in no small part to the generosity of this town,” said Cimaglia. “It’ll be cool to meet members of the Patriots organization, but …
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Local non-profit won one of 16 Myra Kraft Community MVP awards. They'll find out how much they've won at a June 13 luncheon.
June 13 is going to be a great day for Lou Cimaglia and the group he founded more than seven years ago. Just how great remains to be seen. Local Heroes, a Wilmington non-profit organization that sends care packages to troops overseas, recently was selected by the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation as one of 16 groups to win a Myra Kraft Community MVP award. On Wednesday, June 13, during a luncheon at Gillette Stadium, Cimaglia will be in attendance to find out what the reward will be for Local Heroes. That day, 10 third place winners will receive $2,500, five second place winners will receive $10,000 and one grand prize will be awarded $25,000. “Local Heroes has done so much that I’m extremely proud of. I don’t think we’ve ever …
Matt Schooley
2:44 pm on Friday, November 9, 2012
Great question, Lisa! You can e-mail Local Heroes at Info@mass-localheroes.org or call them at (978) 658-3000 and I'm sure they'd be able to tell you the best way to help. more ›